Thirteenth in Margaret Frazer's Dame
Frevisse series, The Hunter's Tale is
the best yet. As expected, the mystery is well-plotted with the requisite red
herring or two, the setting brims with historical details and the story moves
along at a gentle yet insistent pace. But it's also a brilliant study of human
nature.
The
victim is Sir Ralph Woderove, who chases after his dog into the woods and turns
up dead within the hour. The terms of his will set the stage for further foul
deeds. As Dame Frevisse learns, he was a vicious man who loved his dogs more
than his family, which includes his second wife Anneys, his sons Tom and Hugh,
daughters Elyn, Lucy and Ursula and grandson Miles. His only friend was Elyn's
husband, their neighbour Sir William Trensal. Little wonder Frevisse finds
herself with so many suspects and a plethora of motives.
Sir
Ralph's physical and verbal abuse echo throughout the story, revealed through
each of the main characters as it becomes clear they are protecting one of
their own. In this manner, Ms Frazer reveals her genius, as she explores each
member of the family and what drives them to act as they do. Highly
recommended.
© Teresa
Basinski Eckford
-------
This
review first appeared in the August 2004 issue of The Historical Novels Review
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